Combining Architectural Style

Discussed in my previous blog about Finding Architectural Design ideas, many of you who are actively involved in Architectural Design will be challenged  by your client about creating new designs that will require combining two different styles, the old and the new architecture. This term is simplified as Bisociation.

I thought of exploring this thought and find more practical examples to show so that we can see how to achieve this. What are the criteria we can formulate to guide you through the process.

Two different styles into one.  This is a creative means to come up with a unique architectural design ideas. In terms finding design solution as to the form and style, we need to identify the major and minor.

Here are some of the tips, hope this will help you create more innovative ideas in your design project.

1. Create a major and a minor style of architecture - Blending the two or three architectural styles is a bold move which create an old and new architecture design relationship. Just like composing a song, this would be very difficult to achieve if you don't know how to blend things together. Establish an architectural style to create and determine which one is the major and the minor. 

What will be your blending ratio so that the style will compliment rather than compete. Establish 80 - 20 percent ratio or 70 - 30 up to 60 - 40 percent. Obviously, 80-20 sets the standard to make a clear and dominant style to the least dominant style. While others will give us a subtle blending that will be discussed in tip number 3.

2. Linking the old and the new - The best way to create and decide which architectural style you should pick is in the old style. Linking the past to the present will give you a nostalgic design. People will appreciate the style in terms of catering a structure for different ages. 

In most cases, this is what we call the Transition Period, where you bring new ideas with the old. As in the music, the choice of old song to new melody brings a good composition.
Architectural designs are inspired by the past designs. Setting the trend in architectural design will give you a competitive edge in the public eye. More so, creating your identity and reputation to be the leader in setting the design trend in architecture.

3. Don't over design, keep it simple - in as much as you want to set the trend, remember to keep it simple. Some design may be trendy but won't last longer. Avoid over designing, Make your architecture simple and functional. Consider the construction methodology and cost. Some combination of style can be in the form and shape, color and harmony, contrasting of patterns, size and proportion. List all the things that you need to combine and blend it all together into a single yet simple composition.

4. Find a theme from a previous architectural design trends - as mentioned earlier, finding design from the past is a good idea but you need to consider the design trends in the contemporary. this may go further by observing the design trends in the community and stick to the theme and introduce a new style. 

This will somehow condition the public to the new design trend you are introducing.

In achieving a good architectural design composition, Simplicity and balance will top it all.

Hope you enjoyed reading my post and if you have some comments or suggestion, you can comment below. I would love to explore new tips to achieve this.

Some helpful Book resources I recommend:

This is an affiliate program in Amazon, buying from this site will give me a little commission. I would appreciate it if you do. Other than that, this is a highly recommended book to help you get a better understanding of how you can formulate design ideas and with that, you can combine architectural styles in your Design practice.

The author of this Book Francis D.K. Ching is Professor Emeritus of Architecture at the University of Washington and a registered architect. He is the author or coauthor of numerous architecture and design books, including Architectural Graphics; Building Construction Illustrated; Architecture: Form, Space, and Order; A Visual Dictionary of Architecture; A Global History of Architecture; Interior Design Illustrated; and Design Drawing. James F. Eckler is the Architecture Program Director of the Marywood University School of Architecture. In addition to teaching, Professor Eckler is actively engaged in research concerning the culture of place in the urban environment and architecture's role in the development of community. He is also the author of Language of Space and Form.

If you are and architecture student and is looking for some resources, Here's another book of Francis D.K. Ching and James F. Eckler

The Introduction to Architecture. All in one place so you will not be hovering over the internet. Learn and get resources from our recommended section.